Phalaenopsis plant named &#39;suphal1203&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Phalaenopsis  cultivar named ‘SUPHAL1203’ is disclosed, characterized by a compact plant form and significant high flower count per plant. Flowers have light red-purple background coloration and a darker blotch. The new variety is a  Phalaenopsis , typically produced as an indoor ornamental plant.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES

Phalaenopsis hybrid

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘SUPHAL1203 ’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This application relates to a new cultivar of Phalaenopsis hybrid. The new variety is the product of a planned breeding program. The new variety originated as a seedling from the crossing of the unpatented, proprietary seed parent Phalaenopsis with the unpatented, proprietary pollen parent referred to as Phalaenopsis ‘WEQS5’. The crossing was made by the inventor in his research greenhouse in Chonburi, Thailand in May of 2002.

The new variety was first selected by the inventor, Thumrong Suphachadiwong, a citizen of Thailand, in December of 2008, in a research in Chonburi, Thailand. After identifying the new variety as a potentially interesting selection, the inventor continued confidential testing and propagation of ‘SUPHAL1203’, assessing stability of the unique characteristics of this variety.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘SUPHAL1203’ was first performed at a commercial laboratory in Chonburi, Thailand by tissue culture in December of 2008. Access to all plants was restricted, as plants were kept in a greenhouse not open to the public, and tissue culture plantlets were in a laboratory belonging to the inventor, and not accessible to the public. Through subsequent propagation, multiple generations have been reproduced, which have shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘SUPHAL1203’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘SUPHAL1203.’ These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘SUPHAL1203’ as a new and distinct Phalaenopsis cultivar:

1. Significant high flower count per plant.

2. Unusual compact plant shape.

3. Petals of a light red-purple background color and a darker red-purple blotch.

PARENT COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘SUPHAL1203’ are similar to the seed parent, Phalaenopsis ‘EF’ in most horticultural characteristics. The new variety, however, has faster growth habit than the seed parent.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘SUPHAL1203’ are similar to the pollen parent, Phalaenopsis ‘WEQS5’ in most horticultural characteristics. Plants of the new variety, however, produce a brighter color than the pollen parent.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

‘SUPHAL1203’ is similar in most horticultural characteristics to the unpatented commercial variety Phalaenopsis ‘BUENOS AIRES’ in most horticultural characteristics. The new variety, however, produces shorter, more erect, lighter green leaves than those of ‘BUENOS AIRES’. Additionally, the new variety has a lip and apical lobe of different shape and coloration than that of ‘BUENOS AIRES’. Also the new variety produces a slightly smaller flower than ‘BUENOS AIRES’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a typical plant of ‘SUPHAL1203’ grown in a commercial greenhouse in Zuidbroek, the Netherlands. This plant is approximately 18 months old after deflasking, shown planted in an 11 cm container. The photograph was taken using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart 2001, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘SUPHAL1203’ plants grown in a greenhouse in Zuidbroek, the Netherlands. Temperatures ranged between 18° C. and 28° C. day and night. No photoperiodic or chemical treatments were given to the plants. During bright Summer conditions, shade was given. During dark Winter months, supplemental light was given at unspecified amounts. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types.

-   Botanical classification: Phalaenopsis hybrid ‘SUPHAL1203’ -   Propagation:     -   -   Type of propagation typically used.—Tissue culture.         -   Time to initiate roots.—About 21 days at approximately 28°             C.         -   Time to produce a rooted cutting/liner.—About 26 weeks at             approximately 18° C. to 28° C.         -   Root description.—Thick (typical for Phalaenopsis) and             rounded, average diameter: 5 mm, colored greyed-green; near             RHS 198D. -   Plant:     -   -   Growth habit.—Monopodial.         -   Height from to of soil line to top of foliage.—Average 11.0             cm.         -   Height from to of soil line to top of flowers.—Average 38.5             cm.         -   Plant spread.—At widest, average: 26.5 cm; at narrowest:             23.0 cm.         -   Normal pot size.—11 cm.         -   Growth rate.—Moderate.         -   Number of leaves per plant.—Average 6. -   Foliage:     -   -   Leaf.—Arrangement: Distichous Average Length: Approximately             13.1 cm. Average Width: Approximately 4.9 cm. Shape of             blade: Narrow obovate Aspect: Horizontal; young leaves in an             average angle of 45° to soil level. Apex: Unequal acute             Base: Cuneate Sheath length: Average 1.3 cm Sheath width:             Average 1.2 cm. Sheath color: Yellow-green; near RHS 148B,             strongly tinged greyed-orange; near RHS 177A Margin: entire             Texture of top surface: Smooth, glossy, slightly furrowed             Texture of bottom surface: Smooth, glossy, very slightly             furrowed Color: Young foliage upper side: Yellow-green; near             RHS 144A, outer margin greyed-purple; near RHS N186C. Young             foliage under side: Yellow-green; near RHS 146C, strongly             tinged greyed-purple towards the margins; near RHS N186C.             Mature foliage upper side: Yellow-green; near RHS 144A outer             margin greyed-purple; near RHS N186C. Mature foliage under             side: Yellow-green; near RHS 146C, outer margins moderately             to strongly tinged greyed-purple; near RHS N186C. Venation:             Type: Camptodromous Venation coloration: Yellow-green; in             between near RHS 144A and 146B, main vein on under side             greyed-purple; near RHS N186C, especially in young leaves.         -   Petiole.—No petioles present. -   Flowering characteristics:     -   -   Flower bud.—Rate of opening: Approximately 5 days after             stage described. Length: Approximately 1.4 cm. Diameter:             Approximately 1.1 cm wide and 1.3 cm high. Shape: Broad             ovate Color: Purple to greyed-purple; in between near RHS             N77D and 186C, striped red-purple; near RHS 70B, under side             greyed-white; near RHS 156C.         -   Peduncle.—Length: Approximately 34.5 cm. Width:             Approximately 0.4 cm. Aspect: Approximately 65° angle to             rosette. Strength: Strong Texture: Smooth, not very glossy             Color: Yellow-green; near RHS 146A, heavily marbled             greyed-purple to brown; in between near RHS 186C and 200C. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Flowers per stem.—Average 40.         -   Inflorescence arrangement.—Panicle.         -   Inflorescence height.—Approximately 22.3 cm (measured from             lowest branching of panicle to top of inflorescence).         -   Inflorescence width.—Approximately 22.2 cm. -   Individual flowers:     -   -   Flower type.—Single zygomorphic. Shape: Wide elliptic Length             (height): Approximately 4.7 cm. Width: Approximately 4.6 cm.             Depth: Approximately 3.0 cm. Fragrance: No fragrance             Persistent: Non-persistent Quantity of Petals: 2.         -   Petals.—Arrangement: One petal on each side of the column.             Length: Approximately 2.5 cm. Width: Approximately 2.4 cm.             Shape: Deltoid Apex: Rounded Base: Cuneate Margin: Entire             Texture: Upper (forward) surface: smooth, dull, moderately             velvety. Texture: Lower (back) surface: smooth, dull,             moderately velvety. Color: When opening, forward surface:             Purple; near RHS N78B, margin white, near RHS N155C. When             opening, back surface: Purple; near RHS N78D, margin white,             near RHS N155C. Fully Opened, forward surface: Purple; in             between near RHS N78B and N78C, margin white, near RHS             N155D. Fully Opened, back surface: Purple to purple-violet;             near RHS N78D and N80D, margin white, near RHS N155D.             Fading, forward surface: purple-violet; near RHS N80D,             margin white, near RHS N155B. Fading, back surface:             purple-violet; near RHS N80D, margin white, near RHS N155B.             Color Venation Fully Opened, forward surface: No venation             visible. Fully Opened, back surface: Main vein colored             red-purple; near RHS 72B.         -   Labellum.—Shape: Three-parted Length: Approximately 2.0 cm.             Width: Approximately 1.6 cm. Texture: Smooth, dull, slightly             velvety. Tip: Cleft Base: Cuneate Color: When opening,             forward surface: Central lobe red-purple; near RHS 60C,             colored purple towards the top; near RHS N78A, outer tip             white; near RHS N155D, margins near the base colored orange;             near RHS 26A. Lateral lobes red-purple; near RHS N78A,             lighter towards the top; near RHS N78B, base white; near RHS             155A, dotted red-purple; near RHS 59A. When opening, back             surface: Callosities yellow; near RHS 3C, dotted red-purple;             near RHS 59A. Central lobe purple; near RHS 76C To 76D,             margins of lower half colored yellow-orange; near RHS 16B,             flushed red-purple; margins of upper half red-purple; near             RHS 72B, top white; near RHS NN155D. Lateral lobes             red-purple; near RHS N78A to N78B, base white; near RHS             155D. Fully Opened, forward surface: Central lobe             red-purple; near RHS 60C, colored purple towards the top;             near RHS N78A, outer tip white; near RHS N155D. Lateral             lobes red-purple; near RHS N78B, base white; near RHS N155A,             dotted red-purple; near RHS 59A. Fully Opened, back surface:             Callosities yellow; near RHS 5A, dotted red-purple; near RHS             59A. Central lobe purple; near RHS 76C To 76D, margins of             lower half colored yellow-orange; near RHS 16B, flushed             red-purple; margins of upper half red-purple; near RHS 72B,             top white; near RHS N155D. Lateral lobes red-purple; near             RHS N78B, base white; near RHS N155A. Fading, forward             surface: Purple-violet; near RHS N80B Fading, back surface:             Purple-violet; near RHS N80C to N80D Color Venation Fully             Opened, forward surface: No venation visible Fully Opened,             back surface: No venation visible Margin: Entire.         -   Sepals.—Quantity: 3 Appearance: Smooth, dull, moderately             velvety. Length: Approximately 2.5 cm. Width: Approximately             1.7 cm. Shape: Ovate to elliptic Apex: Obtuse Base: Broad             cuneate Margin: Entire Texture: Smooth, dull, moderately             velvety. Color: Fully Opened, forward surface: Lower half             purple; in between near RHS N78C to N78D, veined darker;             near RHS N78B, upper half white; near RHS N155D. Fully             Opened, back surface: Lower half of lateral sepals dotted             red-purple; near RHS 71A. Purple; near RHS 77C and 77D, with             a red-purple main vein; near RHS 72B, margin white, near RHS             N155C.         -   Pedicels.—Length: Approximately, 2.9 cm. Diameter:             Approximately 0.3 cm. Angle: Approximately 85° to peduncle             Strength: Moderately strong Texture: Smooth, moderately             glossy. Color: Yellow-green; near 146C, distal part purple;             75B, 75C and 75D. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Stamens, style and stigma fused into column.—Yes.         -   Column length.—Approximately 1.0 cm.         -   Column diameter.—approximately 0.5 cm.         -   Column color.—Upper side purple; near RHS N78B, under side             lighter; near RHS N78D.         -   Ovary.—Position: Inferior Diameter: Approximately 0.3 cm.             Color: Green-white; near RHS 157D.         -   Pollinia color.—Yellow-orange; near RHS 21A. -   Other characteristics:     -   -   Disease resistance.—Neither resistance nor susceptibility to             the normal diseases found in Phalaenopsis has been observed.         -   Drought tolerance and cold tolerance.—Normal for species.         -   Fruit/seed production.—No fruits/seeds detected to date. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Phalaenopsis plant named ‘SUPHAL1203’ as herein illustrated and described. 